Red beach

This is the picturesque secluded beach just 20 minutes walk from Matala. On the way, you pass more caves, some of which are inhabited through the summer, but the exact whereabouts of the better ones away from the village are a closely guarded secret. It has dark reddish brown sand and wonderfully clear water. It is a quiet intimate beach, only 300m long, but well worth visiting.

How to get there

There are two routes to Red Beach depending on how energetic you are feeling! The first involves a steep climb followed by a steep descent. If you are starting from the centre of Matala, follow the road directly opposite the Zafiria bar until the paved road finishes, then keep going along the dirt track and follow the route up onto the top of the plateau. The walk is very pleasant, and there are certainly some good views from 80m above sea level!

There is a less steep approach if you continue through the town until you reach the sign on the left for the "Marinero" bar. To the left is a path signposted to George's bar and the Mythos bar. Turn on to this path, but instead of turning immediately right towards the two bars, turn left past the front of an old house. This leads to the path over the hill.

Both routes join by a fence, then keep going to the right until you reach a gate opening onto the path which leads down to the beach.Be sure to carry refreshments for the walk and for your supplies for your day at the beach. Red Beach is superb for nudists and was the only Greek location featured on "The World's Best Nude Beaches" on the Sky Travel TV channel. Captain Barefoot gives it a rating of 90% - it would be more if access was less demanding.